Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Neuropsychiatric Short- and Long-Term Complications of COVID-19.

Beginning with the various strategies of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to invade our bodies and manifest infection, and ending with the recent long COVID, we are witnessing the evolving course of the disease in addition to the pandemic. Given the partially controlled course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the greatest challenge currently lies in managing the short- and long-term complications of COVID-19. We have assembled current knowledge of the broad spectrum of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neuropsychiatric sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 infection to understand how these clinical manifestations collectively lead to a severe form of the disease.

Relationships between Circulating Matrix Metalloproteinases, Tissue Inhibitor TIMP-2, and Renal Function in Patients with Myocarditis.

Introduction: Under physiological conditions, the myocardial extracellular matrix (ECM) is maintained by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). However, changes in the balance between MMPs and TIMPs can lead to pathological remodeling of the ECM, which contributes to cardiovascular and kidney diseases. The aim of our study was to assess levels of MMPs and TIMP-2 in patients with myocarditis and their relationship to renal function.

Response to antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing invasive treatment due to acute coronary syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Introduction: There are limited data on platelet reactivity and response to antiplatelet drugs in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Aim: To assess platelet reactivity on dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and ticagrelor, a novel potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, in patients with cardiogenic shock in the course of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who received invasive treatment.

Material And Methods: We enrolled 12 consecutive patients with ACS complicated by cardiogenic shock.

The Links between Cardiovascular Diseases and Alzheimer's Disease.

The root cause of non-inherited Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unknown despite hundreds of research studies performed to attempt to solve this problem. Since proper prophylaxis remains the best strategy, many scientists have studied the risk factors that may affect AD development. There is robust evidence supporting the hypothesis that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may contribute to AD progression, as the diseases often coexist.

Münchausen Syndrome as an Unusual Cause of Pseudo-resistant Hypertension: A Case Report.

Münchausen syndrome can be characterized by simulated illness, pathological lying and wandering from place to place (the patient typically presents to numerous hospitals). Individuals with elevated blood pressure due to non-adherence to medication have the so-called pseudo-resistant hypertension. A 45-year-old woman was admitted to hospital on an emergency basis because of a hypertensive crisis.

MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in Patients with Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease.

The aim of the study was to assess MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2) and TIMP-2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2) serum levels in patients with diverse types of heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). 101 patients with chronic HF were enrolled. Each patient has assessed the serum levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and NT-proBNP.

Determinants of the beneficial effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism on exercise capacity in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: The determinants of the impact of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism (MRA) on exercise tolerance in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have not been sufficiently characterised.

Aim: We sought to investigate the factors associated with improvement in exercise capacity following the introduction of spironolactone to therapy in HFrEF patients, as well as to assess the association between improvement in exercise capacity and changes in cardiac functional characteristics with treatment.

Methods: In 120 patients (age 62 ± 11 years) with stable chronic HFrEF, remaining on optimal pharmacotherapy, spironolactone 25 mg/d was added to treatment.

Characteristics of chaotic processes in electrocardiographically identified ventricular arrhythmia.

Background: The theory of chaos proves a deterministic mechanism of induction of multiple complex processes previously thought to be random in nature. This research explains how these complex processes develop. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis of the chaotic nature of myocardial electrical events during ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Expression of Proinflammatory Factors, Proangiogenic Factors and Endostatin in Patients with Heart Failure and Different Grades of Collateral Circulation Development.

Background: The process of collateral vessel maturation is stimulated by numerous factors affecting the endothelium and smooth muscle cells building the vessel wall. Looking for arteriogenesis stimulating factors means looking for a potential innovative heart failure treatment method in the patients unresponsive to traditional therapies.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory factor IL-6, growth factors FGF (FGFa, FGFb, FGFbH), HGF, VEGF and endostatin in heart failure patients in relation to the coronary collaterals development stage.

Effect of intravenous dopamine infusion on pituitary and thyroid function and on nephroprotection.

Unlabelled: INTRODUCTION; Catecholamines, including dopamine, are used in cardiac intensive care.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of intravenous dopamine infusion on the function of pituitary gland in patients with acute cardiac failure. We analyzed changes in the serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), as well as potential nephroprotection.

[Myocardial infarction without coronary arteries stenoses in a patient with Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome--diagnostic dilemmas].

According to the rules of differential diagnostics an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often constitutes an initial diagnosis while a subsequent patient's follow-up with troponin determination results in further verification of the diagnosis. A 55 year-old female with congenital hearing loss, poorly controlled hypertension, type 2 diabetes treated with oral medications, and hypothyreosis was admitted to the Department of Cardiology with 6 h long severe chest pain radiating over her back with concomitant dyspnea. She underwent urgent coronary angiography which showed no epicardial coronary narrowing.

[Cardiac tamponade of unknown aetiology in a dialyzed patient].

A case of a 58 year-old male with renal failure and recurrent cardiac tamponade is presented. In spite of extensive work-up, aetiology of pericardial effusion remained unknown. Diagnostic difficulties in this setting are discussed.

[Neurohormonal effects following treatment with dopamine. More advantages or disadvantages?].

Due to a big amount of dopaminergic receptors set in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), endogenously freed dopamine determines motor and cognitive activities of an organism. It influences neurohormonal regulation of the body, among all, other catecholamines' production; it also regulates kidney's functioning, the cardiovascular system and alimentary canal. Dopamine (a natural catecholamine) containing specimens are often used for the sake of intensive medical care.

Thrombolysis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Numerous experimental researches and clinical observations reveal that immediately after cardiac arrest a significant platelet activation appears which is not counterbalanced by endogenous fibrinolysis and leads to disseminated laying down of fibrin's concrement in arteria and microclots' formation. The process is being developed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and extended to a post-resuscitation period. There have been some experimental works and clinical examinations revealing that treatment with heparin and thrombolysis' application can increase the survival rate after an incident of cardiac arrest.

Impact of nebivolol on levels of serum nitric oxide, plasma von Willebrand factor and exercise stress testing parameters in hypertensive and ischemic heart disease patients.

Background: The dysfunction of vascular endothelium precedes the development of atherosclerosis in patients with arterial hypertension. Nebivolol is a very specific beta-blocker, which can be characterized by a strong endothelial vasodilatative effect. The aim of the study was the assessment of changes in concentrations of serum nitric oxide (NO), plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) and selected parameters of electrocardiographic exercise tests after 4-week nebivolol treatment.

[Catheter malposition in the renal vein--a rare complication related to a peripherally inserted central catheter].

In cardiology intensive care units central venous access is often needed for intravenous infusion of multiple strong acting or hypertonic therapeutic agents such as catecholamines, antibiotics, kalium chloride solutions or parenteral nutrition, as well as for central venous pressure measurements. Currently, access devices include centrally inserted central venous catheters (CVC) and peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC). Because of the relative ease of placement, reduced rates of severe complications, such as pneumothorax, great vessel perforation or bleeding, and lower costs in comparison to CVCs, PICCs have been widely used.

Chemokines and left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Leukocytes are activated in the inflammatory process involving locally atherosclerotic lesions through adhesive molecules attaching to the surface of endothelial cells, especially during acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to assess MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, and RANTES serum levels in patients with STEMI and to correlate them with the severity of left ventricle (LV) dysfunction.

Methods: Forty patients were initially divided into two groups, with group 1 having an ejection fraction (EF) above 40% and group 2 an EF of 40% or less.

Platelet aggregation and P-selectin levels during exercise treadmill test in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with higher platelet activation sometimes despite aspirin use. There are conflicting data concerning platelet activation course during physical exercise in patients on aspirin with CAD.

Aim: To assess platelet activation pattern during physical exercise in patients with CAD.

Aspirin failure course during exercise and its connection with soluble CD40L.

Introduction: The aspirin failure (resistance) is a still discussed and highly studied problem. This phenomenon is observed in rest, but could be precipitated by an exercise. The aspirin resistance was also linked with the inflammatory process which is a key event for the atherosclerosis development.

[Serum level of beta-chemokine RANTES in patients with coronary artery disease].

Chronic inflammatory process plays an important, as still not clear, role in pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD), especially in acute coronary syndromes. Chemokines are present in atherosclerotic plaques and are essential factors in the recruitment of leukocytes and stabilization of atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of the study was the evaluation of RANTES serum level in patients with stabile CAD and seeking for correlations between RANTES serum level and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

[Estimation of the P wave and PQ interval dispersion in patients after the myocardial infarction].

Aim: Because in patients with the recent myocardial infarction the noticeable differences in the P wave and PQ interval dispersion were observed in comparison to the control group, consisted of the healthy persons, it was an intresting problem to define the period of persistence of these visible changes on the electrocardiograms made in patients after the myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to estimate the P wave and PQ interval dispersion in patients after the myocardial infarction in dependence on its location and applied fibrynolytical treatment.

Material And Method: The investigations were conducted on 36 male and female patients in age 40 to 84 years (mean 56 +/- 10,8 years), divided into groups of patients suffering from the inferior myocardial infarction and anterior myocardial infarction.